How Safe or Dangerous Is California in 2024?
California Safety Scores, out of 100 points (2023)
With a 43/100 safety score from overall crime, California has an average safety standard, reflecting mixed results.
- Overall Crime (safety score): 43
- Violent Crime (safety score): 44
- Property Crime (safety score): 41
Compared to the U.S. average for safety scores from overall crime, this state is somewhat more dangerous (-7 pts lower), slightly more dangerous from violent crime (-4 pts lower), and more dangerous from property crime (-12 pts lower).
Where Does California Rank in Safety Among U.S. States in 2023?
- Overall Crime (safety ranking): 39th
- Violent Crime (safety ranking): 35th
- Property Crime (safety ranking): 44th
Among the 50 states in America (and D.C.) with available crime data, California state is ranked 39th in overall safety from overall crime, making it a more dangerous state comparatively speaking. In terms of individual categories of violent and property crime, California is ranked 35th on safety from violent crime, meaning it's a somewhat more dangerous state for this category of crime. With respect to safety from property crime, this state is positioned 44th and is a considerably more dangerous state relative to others.
Is California Becoming Safer or More Dangerous?
Year-on-Year Change in Safety Scores (2023 vs. 2022)
- Overall Crime (Year-on-Year): +3 percentage points
- Violent Crime (Year-on-Year): +5 percentage points
- Property Crime (Year-on-Year): no change
Compared to 2022 regarding safety scores from overall crime, this state in 2023 is slightly safer overall (+3 pts higher), somewhat safer from violent crime (+5 pts higher), and the same in terms of safety levels from property crime (unchanged).
What Is the Likelihood of Becoming a Crime Victim in California in 2024?
- Overall Crime: Low
- Violent Crime: Low
- Property Crime: Moderate
In California, the overall risk of becoming a victim of crime is low. Specifically, the risk of becoming a victim of violent crime is low, and the risk of becoming a victim of property crime is moderate.
What Are the Overall Crime Trends in California from 2017 to 2023?
Current Safety from Overall Crime: State Score vs. U.S. Average
| Safety Scores from Total Crime | |
|---|---|
| CA State | 43 |
| U.S. Avg. | 50 |
Safety from Overall Crime (2017-2023): State Score vs. U.S. Average
| CA State | U.S. Avg. | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 43 | 50 |
| 2022 | 40 | 46 |
| 2021 | 42 | 45 |
| 2020 | 42 | 44 |
| 2019 | 42 | 45 |
| 2018 | 41 | 44 |
| 2017 | 41 | 42 |
A review of overall crime statistics across California reflects that the state now compared to the pre-pandemic years, is slightly safer (+1 pts higher), slightly safer now from violent crime (+1 pts higher), and slightly safer now from property crime (+2 pts higher).
A look at U.S. crime trends nationwide suggests that in the realm of overall crime, the U.S. now, compared to the pre-pandemic years, is somewhat safer (+6 pts higher), slightly safer now from violent crime (+4 pts higher), and somewhat safer now from property crime (+9 pts higher).
Learn more about California's violent crime and property crime in our detailed sections.
Violent Crime: How Safe or Dangerous Is California in 2024?
Safety Scores from Violent Crime, out of 100 points (2023)
In California, a 44/100 safety score from violent crime highlights a state with a safety standard that's neither here nor there.
- Overall Violent Crime (safety score): 44
- Murder (safety score): 46
- Rape (safety score): 56
- Robbery (safety score): 36
- Aggravated Assault (safety score): 34
Compared to the U.S. average for safety scores from violent crime, this state is slightly more dangerous (-4 pts lower), somewhat safer from murder (+6 pts higher), slightly safer from rape (+1 pts higher), much more dangerous from robbery (-22 pts lower), and somewhat more dangerous from aggravated assault (-9 pts lower).
How Does California Rank in Violent Crime Among U.S. States in 2023?
- Overall Violent Crime (safety ranking): 35th
- Murder (safety ranking): 16th
- Rape (safety ranking): 17th
- Robbery (safety ranking): 49th
- Aggravated Assault (safety ranking): 42nd
From the 50 states in America (and D.C.) with crime data on file, California state is ranked 35th in overall safety from violent crime, making it a somewhat more dangerous state comparatively speaking. In terms of individual categories of violent crime, California is ranked 16th on safety from murder, meaning it's a somewhat safer state for this type of crime. With respect to safety from rape, this state is positioned 17th and is a somewhat safer state relative to others. Regarding safety from robbery, this state comes in at 49th place, indicating that it's a significantly more dangerous state, and for safety from aggravated assault, it's ranked 42nd, making it a much more dangerous state.
Is Violent Crime Increasing or Decreasing in California?
Year-on-Year Change in Safety Scores from Violent Crime (2023 vs. 2022)
- Overall Violent Crime (Year-on-Year): +5 percentage points
- Murder (Year-on-Year): +9 percentage points
- Rape (Year-on-Year): +5 percentage points
- Robbery (Year-on-Year): +4 percentage points
- Aggravated Assault (Year-on-Year): +1 percentage point
Compared to 2022 regarding safety scores from violent crime, this state in 2023 is somewhat safer overall (+5 pts higher), somewhat safer from murder (+9 pts higher), somewhat safer from rape (+5 pts higher), slightly safer from robbery (+4 pts higher), and slightly safer from aggravated assault (+1 pts higher).
What Is the Likelihood of Experiencing Violent Crime in California in 2024?
- Overall Violent Crime: Low
- Murder: Low
- Rape: Low
- Robbery: Moderate
- Aggravated Assault: Moderate
In California, the risk of becoming a victim of violent crime is low. Beware of:
- Robbery
- Aggravated Assault
What Are the Violent Crime Trends in California from 2017 to 2023?
Current Safety from Violent Crime: State Score vs. U.S. Average
| Safety Scores from Total Violent Crime | |
|---|---|
| CA State | 44 |
| U.S. Avg. | 48 |
Safety from Violent Crime (2017-2023): State Score vs. U.S. Average
| CA State | U.S. Avg. | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 44 | 48 |
| 2022 | 39 | 43 |
| 2021 | 39 | 41 |
| 2020 | 42 | 42 |
| 2019 | 43 | 44 |
| 2018 | 43 | 44 |
| 2017 | 43 | 43 |
Analysis of California's crime data suggests that concerning violent crime, the state now compared to the pre-pandemic years, is slightly safer (+1 pts higher), still on par with the 2017-2019 period in terms of safety from murder (unchanged), somewhat safer now from rape (+5 pts higher), somewhat safer now from robbery (+6 pts higher), and somewhat more dangerous now from aggravated assault (-7 pts lower).
A scrutiny of U.S. crime rates indicates that, concerning overall violent crime, the nation now, compared with the pre-pandemic period, is slightly safer (+4 pts higher), slightly more dangerous now from murder (-1 pts lower), somewhat safer now from rape (+9 pts higher), safer now from robbery (+11 pts higher), and still on par with the 2017-2019 period in terms of safety from aggravated assault (unchanged).
What Are the Murder Trends in California from 2017 to 2023?
Current Safety from Murder: State Score vs. U.S. Average
| Safety Scores from Homicide | |
|---|---|
| CA State | 46 |
| U.S. Avg. | 40 |
Safety from Murder (2017-2023): State Score vs. U.S. Average
| CA State | U.S. Avg. | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 46 | 40 |
| 2022 | 37 | 33 |
| 2021 | 35 | 30 |
| 2020 | 38 | 32 |
| 2019 | 47 | 41 |
| 2018 | 46 | 42 |
| 2017 | 45 | 40 |
What Are the Rape Trends in California from 2017 to 2023?
Current Safety from Rape: State Score vs. U.S. Average
| Safety Scores from Rape | |
|---|---|
| CA State | 56 |
| U.S. Avg. | 55 |
Safety from Rape (2017-2023): State Score vs. U.S. Average
| CA State | U.S. Avg. | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 56 | 55 |
| 2022 | 51 | 49 |
| 2021 | 51 | 47 |
| 2020 | 54 | 51 |
| 2019 | 51 | 45 |
| 2018 | 50 | 45 |
| 2017 | 51 | 47 |
What Are the Robbery Trends in California from 2017 to 2023?
Current Safety from Robbery: State Score vs. U.S. Average
| Safety Scores from Robbery | |
|---|---|
| CA State | 36 |
| U.S. Avg. | 58 |
Safety from Robbery (2017-2023): State Score vs. U.S. Average
| CA State | U.S. Avg. | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 36 | 58 |
| 2022 | 32 | 56 |
| 2021 | 36 | 56 |
| 2020 | 36 | 53 |
| 2019 | 30 | 50 |
| 2018 | 30 | 48 |
| 2017 | 29 | 43 |
What Are the Aggravated Assault Trends in California from 2017 to 2023?
Current Safety from Aggravated Assault: State Score vs. U.S. Average
| Safety Scores from Aggravated Assault | |
|---|---|
| CA State | 34 |
| U.S. Avg. | 43 |
Safety from Aggravated Assault (2017-2023): State Score vs. U.S. Average
| CA State | U.S. Avg. | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 34 | 43 |
| 2022 | 33 | 41 |
| 2021 | 34 | 41 |
| 2020 | 38 | 40 |
| 2019 | 41 | 43 |
| 2018 | 41 | 44 |
| 2017 | 41 | 43 |
Property Crime: How Safe or Dangerous Is California in 2024?
Safety Scores from Property Crime, out of 100 points (2023)
In California, a 41/100 safety score from property crime indicates that the state could focus more on safety improvements.
- Overall Property Crime (safety score): 41
- Burglary (safety score): 39
- Larceny (safety score): 51
- Auto Theft (safety score): 27
- Arson (safety score): 28
Compared to the U.S. average for safety scores from property crime, this state is more dangerous (-12 pts lower), more dangerous from burglary (-19 pts lower), somewhat more dangerous from larceny (-6 pts lower), more dangerous from auto theft (-12 pts lower), and more dangerous from arson (-17 pts lower).
How Does California Rank in Property Crime Among U.S. States in 2023?
- Overall Property Crime (safety ranking): 44th
- Burglary (safety ranking): 44th
- Larceny (safety ranking): 40th
- Auto Theft (safety ranking): 44th
- Arson (safety ranking): 48th
Looking at the 50 states in America (and D.C.), where crime data has been reported, California state is ranked 44th in overall safety from property crime, making it a considerably more dangerous state comparatively speaking. In terms of individual categories of property crime, California is ranked 44th on safety from burglary, meaning it's a considerably more dangerous state for this type of crime. With respect to safety from larceny, this state is positioned 40th and is a much more dangerous state relative to others. Regarding safety from auto theft, this state comes in at 44th place, indicating that it's a considerably more dangerous state, and for safety from arson, it's ranked 48th, making it a significantly more dangerous state.
Is Property Crime Increasing or Decreasing in California?
Year-on-Year Change in Safety Scores from Property Crime (2023 vs. 2022)
- Overall Property Crime (Year-on-Year): no change
- Burglary (Year-on-Year): -1 percentage point
- Larceny (Year-on-Year): -1 percentage point
- Auto Theft (Year-on-Year): no change
- Arson (Year-on-Year): no change
Compared to 2022 regarding safety scores from property crime, this state in 2023 is the same in terms of overall safety levels (unchanged), slightly more dangerous from burglary (-1 pts lower), slightly more dangerous from larceny (-1 pts lower), the same in terms of safety levels from auto theft (unchanged), and the same in terms of safety levels from arson (unchanged).
What Is the Likelihood of Experiencing Property Crime in California in 2024?
- Overall Property Crime: Moderate
- Burglary: Moderate
- Larceny: Low
- Auto Theft: Fair
- Arson: Fair
In California, the risk of becoming a victim of property crime is moderate. Beware of:
- Burglary
- Auto Theft
- Arson
What Are the Property Crime Trends in California from 2017 to 2023?
Current Safety from Property Crime: State Score vs. U.S. Average
| Safety Scores from Total Property Crime | |
|---|---|
| CA State | 41 |
| U.S. Avg. | 53 |
Safety from Property Crime (2017-2023): State Score vs. U.S. Average
| CA State | U.S. Avg. | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 41 | 53 |
| 2022 | 41 | 51 |
| 2021 | 49 | 53 |
| 2020 | 43 | 49 |
| 2019 | 41 | 48 |
| 2018 | 39 | 45 |
| 2017 | 37 | 41 |
Analysis of California's crime rates indicates that the state in terms of property crime now compared to the pre-pandemic years, is slightly safer (+2 pts higher), somewhat safer now from burglary (+5 pts higher), slightly safer now from larceny (+2 pts higher), slightly more dangerous now from auto theft (-3 pts lower), and slightly more dangerous now from arson (-1 pts lower).
A study of crime rates across the U.S. reveals that concerning overall property crime, the U.S. now, compared to the pre-pandemic years, is somewhat safer (+9 pts higher), safer now from burglary (+19 pts higher), somewhat safer now from larceny (+8 pts higher), more dangerous now from auto theft (-12 pts lower), and somewhat safer now from arson (+6 pts higher).
What Are the Burglary Trends in California from 2017 to 2023?
Current Safety from Burglary: State Score vs. U.S. Average
| Safety Scores from Burglary | |
|---|---|
| CA State | 39 |
| U.S. Avg. | 58 |
Safety from Burglary (2017-2023): State Score vs. U.S. Average
| CA State | U.S. Avg. | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 39 | 58 |
| 2022 | 40 | 54 |
| 2021 | 44 | 53 |
| 2020 | 40 | 48 |
| 2019 | 38 | 44 |
| 2018 | 34 | 39 |
| 2017 | 30 | 32 |
What Are the Larceny Trends in California from 2017 to 2023?
Current Safety from Larceny: State Score vs. U.S. Average
| Safety Scores from Larceny | |
|---|---|
| CA State | 51 |
| U.S. Avg. | 57 |
Safety from Larceny (2017-2023): State Score vs. U.S. Average
| CA State | U.S. Avg. | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 51 | 57 |
| 2022 | 52 | 54 |
| 2021 | 55 | 57 |
| 2020 | 56 | 54 |
| 2019 | 50 | 50 |
| 2018 | 50 | 49 |
| 2017 | 49 | 47 |
What Are the Auto Theft Trends in California from 2017 to 2023?
Current Safety from Auto Theft: State Score vs. U.S. Average
| Safety Scores from Auto Theft | |
|---|---|
| CA State | 27 |
| U.S. Avg. | 39 |
Safety from Auto Theft (2017-2023): State Score vs. U.S. Average
| CA State | U.S. Avg. | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 27 | 39 |
| 2022 | 27 | 44 |
| 2021 | 28 | 48 |
| 2020 | 28 | 49 |
| 2019 | 32 | 52 |
| 2018 | 29 | 51 |
| 2017 | 28 | 50 |
What Are the Arson Trends in California from 2017 to 2023?
Current Safety from Arson: State Score vs. U.S. Average
| Safety Scores from Arson | |
|---|---|
| CA State | 28 |
| U.S. Avg. | 45 |
Safety from Arson (2017-2023): State Score vs. U.S. Average
| CA State | U.S. Avg. | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 28 | 45 |
| 2022 | 28 | 40 |
| 2021 | 75 | 50 |
| 2020 | 27 | 33 |
| 2019 | 29 | 42 |
| 2018 | 29 | 39 |
| 2017 | 28 | 35 |
The assessments presented on this website, including those related to crime, safety, cost of living, and other location characteristics (e.g., states, cities, towns, villages, neighborhoods, areas, landmarks), are based on various sources and our internal research methods. These assessments are not guaranteed to be accurate or complete and should not be used as the sole basis for making any decisions.